What is an
Epidural Injection?
What Is an Epidural Injection?
Epidural steroid injections are used to treat back pain in the lower back. They can also be used to treat the neck, mid-spine and leg pain associated with sciatica.
The steroid medication is injected into the area around the sac of nerve roots known as the dura.
The steroids reduce inflammation around the area of the spine, making epidural steroid injections a useful treatment option for a number of conditions, such as degenerative disc disease, herniated disc, and spinal stenosis. Patients are typically limited to the number of steroid injections they can receive per year.
The treatment is successful at providing pain relief for about half of all patients, though pain relief is temporary. Some patients may experience pain relief for about a week, while others may experience relief for up to a year from a single epidural injection.
Used To Treat These Conditions
Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spaces in the spine, which puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.
When a bone in the spine slips forward and out of place, it’s known as spondylolisthesis.
A herniated disc is most often an age-related condition, resulting from the normal wear and tear of the body.
Am I a Good Candidate for an Epidural Injection?
You may be a good candidate for an epidural steroid injection if you have tried more conservative pain relief methods and are still experiencing pain. Consider it an option before resorting to surgery.
How Will I Feel After Epidural Steroid Injections?
You may experience immediate temporary relief after the procedure that could last up to several hours. Once the numbing agent wears off, your pain may return. This does not mean that the steroid did not help. The steroid medication typically takes up to 10 days to begin having an effect in most people.
